The Pitchfork Case The murders that changed forensic science

The complete case timeline

Every key date in the Colin Pitchfork case, from the murder of Lynda Mann in 1983 to the most recent parole decision. Last updated July 2026.

1983 – 1988
The Crimes & Conviction
  1. Lynda Mann is murdered

    Fifteen-year-old Lynda Mann is raped and strangled on the Black Pad footpath in Narborough, Leicestershire. Blood-group analysis narrows the killer to around 10% of men, but the case goes unsolved.

  2. DNA fingerprinting is discovered

    Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester discovers DNA fingerprinting, a way to identify individuals from their DNA.

  3. Dawn Ashworth is murdered

    Fifteen-year-old Dawn Ashworth is raped and strangled near Ten Pound Lane, between Enderby and Narborough. Her body is found two days later. Police link the two murders.

  4. Richard Buckland confesses

    A local 17-year-old with learning difficulties confesses to Dawn's murder under questioning, but denies killing Lynda. He is charged.

  5. The first DNA exoneration

    Jeffreys' analysis proves the same man committed both murders, and that it was not Buckland. He becomes the first person cleared by DNA evidence.

  6. The world's first mass DNA screening begins

    Police ask every local man aged 16–34 to give blood. More than 5,000 eventually do. On 29 January, Ian Kelly gives a sample posing as Colin Pitchfork, in exchange for £200.

  7. The pub conversation

    Kelly is overheard telling bakery colleagues he took the test for Pitchfork. Colleague Jackie Foggin reports it to police on 18 September.

  8. Colin Pitchfork is arrested

    Detectives arrest Pitchfork at his home in Littlethorpe. His real DNA matches the samples from both murder scenes.

  9. Life imprisonment: the first DNA conviction

    Pitchfork pleads guilty to both rapes and murders, two sexual assaults and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He is sentenced to life with a 30-year minimum, the first murder conviction in history secured through DNA profiling.

2009 – Today
Sentence & Parole
  1. Minimum term reduced on appeal

    The Court of Appeal reduces Pitchfork's minimum term from 30 to 28 years, citing his progress in custody.

  2. Parole refused; open prison recommended

    The Parole Board refuses release but recommends transfer to open conditions. He is moved to an open prison by early 2017.

  3. Parole refused again

    The Parole Board declines to release Pitchfork, with a further review to follow within two years.

  4. Released on licence

    Following a June 2021 parole decision that survived a government challenge, Pitchfork is released under strict licence conditions after 33 years in custody.

  5. Recalled to prison

    Just eleven weeks after release, Pitchfork is recalled for breaching licence conditions, reportedly by approaching young women while out walking.

  6. Parole granted, then reversed

    The Parole Board again directs release in June 2023. After public outcry, the Lord Chancellor intervenes and the decision is reconsidered; in December 2023 parole is refused.

  7. Fresh hearing ordered

    Pitchfork successfully challenges the December 2023 decision on procedural grounds. A planned public hearing is later moved behind closed doors after fresh allegations about his recent conduct.

  8. Parole denied: he stays in prison

    After four days of hearings and a 2,000-page dossier, the Parole Board refuses release and declines to recommend a move to open conditions. Where is he now?